Cape Town started its auction calendar this month with the first Sotheby's sale that took place on the 30th March. Although Fine art forms a small selection of lots compared to other lots comprising mostly of furniture, silver, ceramics and various other items, there was still a lively interest from a record number of buyers. Though with fewer Contemporary lots, the usual names like Stern, Boonzaier, Laubser and Pierneef  were still represented. In current months there has been a visible revival of the interest in older style of works after some of the prices for works by certain artists spiralled  downward during 2002/2003.  There were excellent examples of work by Bowler, Baines and Hugo Naude which rarely appear on the market. Contemporary works by artists Penny Siopis, Norman Catherine and Willie Bester also form part of this sale and fetched high prices. 

A few South African painting highlights :

Lot 479
Thomas Baines
estimate R 250 000-300 000
Hammer Price R 280 000

Lot 507
Gregoire Boonzaier
estimate R 30 000-40 000
Hammer Price R 40 000